Fighting a musical battle to fund the Children's Museum

This weekend, a war will be fought in Carson City.

For 10 hours on Saturday and seven hours on Sunday, the Nugget west parking lot will become a battlefield as bands from around the region take the stage in search of glory and cash prizes.

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada is sponsoring Jester's Joust: Battle of the Bands as a fundraiser.

The event will feature eight local bands on Saturday and six solo artists on Sunday. The winners each day receive $500 for first prize, $250 for second prize and $100 for third prize.

"It's an unorthodox way to raise money. You see several $1,000 golf tournaments and fundraising dinners but nothing like this. We wanted something geared toward teens that allowed everyone to have fun," said Candice Chilton, event organizer.

The battle will include Conscender, Civica, Alone in the Cockpit and Darque Carnival as well as solo acts Mexican Phil, Ashley Gerber and Paige Dossey.

The joust kicks off at 1 p.m. both days and runs until 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday. The event will include food, vendors and activities designed for teens and families.

"We wanted to do something that would appeal to teenagers and keep it cheap enough so they could actually come," said Art Krupicz, executive director.

The cost is $5 per day or a weekend pass for $7 per person with children under 10 entering for free.

Winners will be decided based on two scores. All bands will be judged by a panel of music enthusiasts, local radio personalities, and community sponsors which will count for 40 percent of their score. Everyone who attends the joust will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for their favorite performance and those scores will make up 60 percent of the total score.

The ballots will be counted at the end of the competition and will ultimately decide the final winner.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

What: Jester's Joust: Battle of the Bands fundraiser

When: 1-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-8 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Nugget parking lot, corner of Robinson and Carson streets

Cost: $5 per day or a weekend pass for $7. Children under 10 are free.

Call: 884-2226 or go online at www.cmnn.org/jestersjoust